Dead body on stretcher flies out of coroner’s van in Bucks County

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Drivers Lower Southampton got quick a surprise Friday afternoon when a body strapped to a gurney fell out of a Bucks County Coroner’s truck and into traffic.

“Never in all my years would I have thought we’d be talking about something like this,” Coroner Dr. Joseph Campbell told The Morning Call on Sunday.

The rear door of the vehicle malfunctioned, which Campbell attributed to the vehicle’s age and wear and tear. The 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck with a utility cap was immediately retired after the incident.

The deputy coroner was driving the vehicle at the time. She noticed a flash of light in the rear view mirror and pulled into the nearest parking lot to notify the coroner.

Campbell said that there was no damage to the body, and the family was notified of the incident.

A county spokesman issued a statement Saturday night that said steps would be taken to assure that such a malfunction is never repeated.

On Sunday, Campbell repeated that promise, saying that his office immediately would put into effect new “double and triple” checks on its transport vehicles.

“It was a horrible thing,” Campbell added. “I can’t tell you how upset I was. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t make this up.”

Jerry Bradley witnessed the event and assisted the deputy coroner with removing the gurney from the road. He posted a picture to his Facebook page and it was share thousands of times.
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